Redlands goes eight innings to defeat Cajon

REDLANDS - A rivalry is quickly forming between the baseball teams at Redlands and Cajon.

The two teams met on Tuesday for the second time this season and for the second time they ventured into extra innings to decide it.

This game went to Redlands in eight innings, 3-1, for a Citrus Belt League victory that keeps RHS atop the league standings.

But Redlands (14-3, 7-1) and Cajon (12-5, 6-2) meet again on Thursday, at Cajon, to complete what has been a fierce regular season series.

"In the preseason I told people that Cajon coming into the CBL was going to change things," RHS coach Estevan Valencia said. "People didn't understand. But they beat REV (Redlands East Valley) and they beat us."

Cajon won the first encounter, 4-3, in eight innings as well.

"That's a great team and they do a great job over there," Valencia said. "It's a dogfight when we play those guys."

Redlands powered its way to the victory when Jacob Nottingham sent a two-run home run over left field.

"I was just trying to hit the ball hard," Nottingham said. "I waited for a good pitch to swing on. Sean (Smith) did a good job on getting on and I just tried to hit the ball."

It was a dramatic seven pitch at-bat, Notthingham clearing the fence on a 3-2 count.

"I had a lot of good swings," Nottingham said. "Then he threw a fast ball that I liked."

RHS led 1-0 for most of the game, which was just enough for starting pitcher Jimmy Walker.

The senior right hander had some of his best stuff, limiting the Cowboys to three hits in 6 2/3 innings.

"Jimmy pitched great," Nottingham said. "He battled through six innings. He didn't want to come out but he was a bulldog out there. He did a great job at hitting locations."

Walker gave up two hits in the opening inning but only gave up just one hit over the next five frames, getting some help along the way - centerfielder Sean Smith made a diving catch for the first out in the third, Nottingham threw a runner out in the fourth and the Terriers turned a double play in the fifth.

"You've got to take your hat off to Jimmy Walker," Valencia said. "He battled. When they shut our offense down, he threw a great game and kept us in it."

Walker opened the seventh with his fourth strikeout of the game and then walked a batter. That, however, was enough for Valencia. Hayden Haight came in as relief, gave up two hits, but then forced two ground outs to end the inning. Dylan Baker got the nod in the eighth, who produced two quick outs and then finished the game with a strikeout.

"I didn't want to take him (Walker) out but it was one of those things where he fell behind the last two hitters to start the lineup," Valencia said. "For us, we didn't want to take him out but I've got faith in Hayden and Dillon. I knew they would go in and give us a chance."

Cajon tied the game in the top half of the seventh on a RBI double by Jordan Pollard.